Underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities (URM) and women face significant challenges in biomedical research, including bias in hiring, promotion, peer review, publication, and professional recognition.
They may also encounter workplace cultures in which they feel isolated, undervalued, or excluded, and carry disproportionate responsibilities for mentoring, diversity initiatives, and institutional service. These barriers can limit career advancement despite exceptional talent and achievement. For several years, Woody served as Chief Scientific Officer at Keystone Symposia, a biomedical conference organization in Summit County, Colorado. During that time, he had the privilege of participating in a program that supported URM and women researchers in the biomedical sciences. Woody's involvement with the program opened his eyes to the obstacles that many researchers face. He will share what was learned and lead a discussion of these systemic challenges, including the practical steps that Keystone Symposia took to promote greater inclusion and opportunity in biomedical research.